Biblical Karma

Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poorwill be ignored in their own time of need. – Prov. 21:13 (NLT)

In his recent article in The Telegraph, writer Stephen King notes, “The Syrian refugee crisis may prove to be no more than a dress rehearsal for what may happen in coming decades.”

Hundreds of boats and rafts used by refugees to cross the Mediterranean in 2016 are stacked at the port / processing center of Pozzallo, Sicily.

The article goes on to predict a major shift in the world demographics as the population of Continental Africa explodes and ongoing civil war and a desire for a better life drives the human migratory patterns of the earth.

This is a staggering prophesy, and if even partially true, this shift of population will change the profile of our globe and have vast political, social, and economic implications. Perhaps more importantly, our response to the current refugee crisis; the charity we provide or refuse, the grace we extend or withhold, the hospitality we offer or suppress, will be a mere practice run for what we will face in the years to come. Our decisions, our action or inaction, will help shape the future of this crisis.

It is also important to consider that while we are in the majority now, barring the gates against the waves of those seeking refuge (as America has elected to do), it is possible that the power balance may soon shift. As the writer of Proverbs notes, what goes around can easily come around. Within a matter of decades, we might find ourselves on the outside of the gates looking in, and our response to others today could easily become our request of others tomorrow.

Certainly something to consider and certainly not something to be taken lightly.